Preparation of physical therapists for employment in public schools. A new approach.

Physical therapists are providing services increasingly to children in public school environments because of justified needs as mandated, in part, by Public Law 94-142. Many of these therapists have attained competencies for such employment by participating in short courses or through professional experiences, self-study, and related didactic instruction. A course designed to prepare physical therapists for employment in a public school setting was offered to graduate pediatric students in the Division of Physical Therapy at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Specific content areas included in-depth knowledge of the public school system, interdisciplinary programming, and continuing education for public school teachers. Teaching units and observation sessions are outlined. Recommendations are offered for developing similar courses that can be incorporated into a graduate pediatric curriculum and are beneficial for preparing physical therapists for public school settings.